Events

FIRST Tech Challenge is about more than building robots. Teams join a global community of young innovators and industry mentors, building friendships beyond the playing field.

More than Robots

Young people deserve to be inspired by the opportunities in STEM, in the same way they might a music festival or sporting event. That’s what FIRST events set out to achieve.

It's so amazing to be here at the champs, the auditorium is much bigger than I thought and there's so many excited people - excited for a robotics competition!

Participant, 2018-19

Kick-off

FIRST Tech Challenge season begins on the 12 September with the reveal of the 2019 game. The interactive event is live-streamed and provides opportunity for teams to find out more about what's in store, connecting with their peers and the broader FIRST community.

Scrimmages

Informal local practice events which take place during the first week of December - the first opportunity for teams to test their bots on a real game field, providing a rich opportunity to network with other teams, exchange ideas and get support.

Regional tournaments

Taking place between the 24th January and 8th February 2020 these one-day events see teams collaborate and compete in alliances on the game field to earn a place at the national championships. Teams present their Engineering Notebooks to industry judges earning accreditation and awards.

UK Championships

The culmination of the FIRST Tech Challenge season - an inspirational festival of robotics. Between 20-21 March 2020 100 qualifying teams from across the UK travel to London's Olympic Park to compete in the arena where champions are made.

World Championships

Teams prevailing at the national championships secure a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to progress to the FIRST World Championships, held in Detroit USA - joining 30,000 students competing head-to-head at the world’s largest student robotics tournament.

Experience the events

Browse the FIRST Tech Challenge gallery for images from last season’s events.